Back to the DC United Newsfeed

Wayne Rooney sidelined for D.C. United, spoiling showdown with Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic

In what was supposed to be his first appearance since announcing he will leave D.C. United after this season, Wayne Rooney will not play Sunday night against the Los Angeles Galaxy because of what team officials said was an upper respiratory ailment.

It ruined a highly anticipated showdown at Audi Field with Galaxy superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rooney’s former Manchester United teammate. Quincy Amarikwa is expected to fill in for Rooney, who this winter will join English second-tier Derby County as a player-assistant coach.

Transatlantic travel might have caused the illness. He flew to and from England during this past week.